Just days after praising Hitler, now Bernie Ecclestone 'blames Jews for banking crisis'

Controversy: Bernie Ecclestone yesterday fuelled further outrage at his praise for Adolf Hitler by appearing to blame Jews for the banking crisis

Bernie Ecclestone was forced to apologise after being accused of spouting 'demented drivel ' when speaking in praise of Adolf Hitler and accusing Jews of failing to solve the world's financial crisis.

The 78-year-old billionaire caused outrage when he spoke of the Nazi dictator's ability to 'get things done '.

In the same interview, the Formula One mogul claimed Hitler was 'persuaded to do things that I have no idea whether he wanted to or not.'

His comments provoked a massive row.

But when he was subsequently informed that the World Jewish Congress had called for his resignation, Ecclestone reacted again.

'It's a pity they didn't sort the banks out,' he said. ' When asked to elaborate he countered: ' They have a lot of influence everywhere.'

His additional comments prompted a further furore - and quickly sparked suggestions of a boycott of Formula One by German owned motor racing teams who include BMW and Mercedes.

A spokesman for Germany's Central Council of Jews said: 'No team should work with him any more - a boycott would be more than appropriate.'

He also added that Ecclestone was either 'empty headed or unbelievably malicious' for speaking about Hitler days before the German Grand Prix takes place this weekend.

Ecclestone's original comments, made in an interview with The Times, provoked equal outrage as Liberal Democrat Sport spokesman Don Foster described them as 'the ravings of a demented lunatic.'

Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring last year

Tory John Whittingdale , chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport
Select Committee, said he was 'appalled' anybody could hold such
'extraordinary views.'

Three days after the publication of the interview, Ecclestone yesterday wrote an article of apology.

He also told the Jewish Chronicle : ' I'm just sorry that I was an idiot. I sincerely, genuinely apologise.

' What I regret is people who have taken this the wrong way and have
been offended. I'm really, really sad about that because I have done an
awful lot for Jewish communities throughout - charities and whatever.'

He insisted 'things were taken a little bit wrong' and his praise of
the German tyrant was 'not what he meant' before adding: 'Those who
don't know me think I support Hitler's atrocities; those who do know me
have told me how unwise I was to articulate my points so badly that it
should have been so widely misunderstood.

'During the 1930s Germany was facing an economic crisis but Hitler
was able to rebuild the economy, building the autobahns and German
industry.

'That was all I meant when I referred to him getting things done.

'I'm an admirer of good leadership, of politicians who stand by their convictions and tell the voters the truth.

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'I'm not an admirer of dictators, who rule by terror.'

In another interview, he added: 'Hitler brought a country that was
bankrupt into a country that was very strong and that was really
demonstrating what someone could do if they had the power and didn't
have to keep back and referring every five minutes.

'The trouble with politicians and democracy is they all the time
have to compromise, they can't do what they want to do because there is
somebody in opposition. I regret it didn't come out like that.'

In The Times interview, Ecclestone also referred to close friend Max Mosley who is President of the motor racing body, the FIA.

He then suggested the son of British fascist Sir Oswald Mosley would do a 'super job' as Prime Minister.

Mosley fought a privacy battle with a Sunday newspaper after he was
exposed enjoying what was described as a Nazi-themed sadomasochistic
orgy.

However, a judge later ruled there was no evidence of the 'Nazi theme' and Ecclestone said of Mosley:

'He's a good leader with people. I don't think his background would be a problem.'